Lessons from Vatican on conduct of Holy Mass

For the Catholic churches in the state, especially of the Latin rite, there would soon be some guidelines on how to conduct the Holy Mass.

| TNN | Jan 24, 2013, 06.07 AM IST

KOCHI: For the Catholic churches in the state, especially of the Latin rite, there would soon be some guidelines on how to conduct the Holy Mass.

The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments in Vatican is preparing a booklet to help priests celebrate the Mass properly to ensure that the liturgical services are not changed according to their interests.

The booklet would discuss how Eucharist and other liturgical celebrations can be done better for the congregation. It comes as a result of the Vatican's concern about the fact that several clergymen have relaxed the methods, interpreting the holy text in their own way.

"There is a laxity in the services now, as many priests add their versions, and translate the Latin phrases loosely. That is the main reason why the Vatican wants to prevent liturgical aberrations through specified guidelines," said Latin Archbishop Francis Kallarackal.

There is also a move to remove the confusion regarding translation of the Roman Missal, the liturgical book that contains the texts and rubrics for the celebration of the Mass in the Catholic Churches. The Liturgical commission headed by Archbishop Soosa Pakiam is currently checking the Malayalam translation of the Missal used in Kerala churches. After the changes, the commission would send it to Vatican for approval.

The Vatican officials have frowned upon the attempt of many clergymen to make the mass entertaining by using more songs than necessary, and have asked priests not to make the mass a show.

Though the new guidelines would be applicable mainly to the Latin Church, other Catholic churches would also follow it.

"Although it deals with the Latin Liturgy, the principles are valid for all. The most important principle is of continuity and evolution and not discontinuity or rupture. It means that too progressive and too conservative attitudes are rejected," said Fr Paul Thelakat, spokesperson of the Syro-Malabar church.

The other major issue that would be involved in the new directives is whether the priest can face the congregation during the reading of the word of God.

It would also highlight the fact that Inculturation of the liturgy should be respected, giving freedom for the legitimate varieties without affecting the principles.

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